Allen County Democrats Call Indiana GOP Chair Fort Wayne City Clerk Conflict

Allen County Democrats, led by Chairman Chad Wierzbinski, have called on Fort Wayne City Clerk Lana Keesling to resign from her city position due to conflicts of interest stemming from her concurrent role as chairwoman of the Indiana Republican Party. They argue that Keesling's dual roles compromise her ability to fully attend to her city duties and that her support for mid-cycle gerrymandering disenfranchises voters, especially amid a special legislative session focused on redistricting. Wierzbinski noted that previous Indiana Republican Party chairs who were elected officials resigned their local positions to avoid such conflicts, a precedent Keesling has not yet followed. Keesling responded by criticizing the Democrats' motives and confirmed plans to resign as city clerk by the end of the year after completing ongoing projects and transition plans. Republican leaders affirm her planned resignation by early 2026, emphasizing the importance of a smooth transition. The controversy highlights tensions around political influence in Indiana's redistricting efforts and the responsibilities of local officials holding partisan leadership roles concurrently.